Act+II+Lesson+Plan


 * __Lesson Plan – Act II Scene III__**

· Create personal links to the text through writing and discussion of ideas in the text. · Read the scene as a class discussing and examining words and passages. · Develop answers to focus questions examining, explaining and making links within the text. · Write and practice a mini-drama putting the ideas from the scene into modern context
 * __Learning Outcomes__**

· Students to be moved into groups of four and each group given two sheets of poster paper and some vivid marker pens. On one poster they are to write: ‘//Occasions when I have been pressurised into something.’// On the other poster they are to write //‘Actions and words that I have regretted saying and doing.’// They will then have 10 minutes to discuss and brainstorm events in their own lives. Once completed each group will nominate someone to present the brainstormed material back to the class. ·  The teacher should then explain that the ideas they have discussed are going to come up in the next section of Othello. Students to be asked to think about the ideas when reading as class.
 * __Pre-reading__**

· Students to remain in their groups of four and asked to read the play amongst themselves. One individual will be allocated as leader, another as a scribe to write down questions, the third person will write down any words and phrases that need translation and finally a person to check on time and move the group onwards. · Groups to read Act II scene 3, lines 1-127. The reader should change each time the speaker changes. After each 20 lines the group leader must summarise the lines or have a group discussion regarding the meaning. This reading technique will keep students on task and ensure they pay attention to all lines spoken, not just the ones they read. · The teacher will then put up the following questions on an OHT for the students to discuss in groups and answer. 1. In line 36 Iago pressurises Cassio into drinking and says: ‘What, Man! ‘Tis a night of revels; the gallants desire it’. Have you ever been pressurised into doing something you did not want to do, perhaps by peer pressure at school? 2. Why do you think that Shakespeare has written; ‘Your Dane, your German and your swag-bellied Hollander – drink, ho! – are nothing to your English.’ Who is he appealing to by writing this passage about drinking? 3. What does Montano now think of Cassio? What does this show you about Iago and his subtle and cunning nature? · Groups will then feed back information to the teacher and class. This will lead to discussion of the focus questions and queries written by the scribe.
 * __During-reading__**
 * Questions contain comprehension and analysis processes**.

__**Post-reading**__ (**Activity uses the process of synthesis)** · Students to then go back into their groups and asked to put this scene into contemporary focus. They must write and practice a 2 minute drama where the ideas of peer pressure and being persuaded to do something you did not want to do are present. The teacher may suggest a scene in school, during playing sport, on holiday or at a party. All group members must play a part and the character traits shown by Iago and Cassio will need to be apparent. The groups should have 15 minutes to write and the rest of class time to practice. The dramas can then be presented in the next class.